Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 41
Chapter 19
श्रीर्गुणा नैरपेक्ष्याद्याः सुखं दुःख-सुखात्ययः ।
दुःखं काम-सुखापेक्षा पण्डितो बन्ध-मोक्ष-वित् ॥
śrīr guṇā nairapekṣyādyāḥ sukhaṃ duḥkha-sukhātyayaḥ / duḥkhaṃ kāma-sukhāpekṣā paṇḍito bandha-mokṣa-vit //
真の繁栄とは、自立などの徳を養い、依存を離れること。真の幸福とは、快と苦の双方を超えること。真の苦しみとは、感官の快楽を渇望し、快に依りかかること。真の学者とは、束縛と解脱を知る者である。
In this verse, the Bhāgavatam redefines common human labels—prosperity, happiness, suffering, and learning—through a spiritual lens. Worldly “śrī” (prosperity) is usually measured by possessions, status, or comfort, but here it is identified with guṇas—inner virtues—beginning with nairapekṣya, independence from external supports and validation. Such inner wealth cannot be stolen by time, fate, or other people. Similarly, “sukha” is not merely a pleasant sensation; it is duḥkha-sukhātyaya—rising beyond the duality that binds the mind to constant oscillation. When one is fixed in the self and in devotion to the Lord, the mind is no longer dragged by alternating waves of elation and distress. “Duḥkha” is defined not as the pain that arrives uninvited, but as kāma-sukhāpekṣā—dependence on pleasure born of desire. Desire makes happiness conditional: ‘I will be happy if I get this; I will suffer if I lose it.’ This dependency is the root of fear, anxiety, and repeated disappointment. Finally, the text describes the true paṇḍita (wise person) as bandha-mokṣa-vit—one who knows what causes bondage (attachment, identification with the body, craving) and what grants liberation (detachment, knowledge, and above all steady devotion). Thus the verse functions as a diagnostic: it helps a sādhaka evaluate life not by external outcomes but by inner freedom and spiritual direction.
FAQs
This verse says real happiness is to transcend the duality of pleasure and pain (duḥkha-sukhātyaya), rather than chasing temporary pleasant sensations.
Because dependence on pleasure (kāma-sukhāpekṣā) makes the mind anxious and bound—happiness becomes conditional, creating fear of loss and repeated dissatisfaction.
Train the mind toward inner independence (nairapekṣya), reduce craving-based expectations, and anchor daily life in sādhana—especially bhakti—so peace is not dependent on external outcomes.